Long dark gold fish with a white belly, smooth scales, thick-lipped mouth, and a forked tail.

Ocean whitefish

Caulolatilus princeps
Where at Shedd?
Oceans
Diet Small fishes, octopuses, squid, worms, shrimp and crabs
Size Length: Up to 40 inches (102 cm)
Type Fishes
Range Eastern Pacific
Habitat Rocky, muddy and sandy bottoms in the eastern Pacific Ocean from British Columbia, Canada to Peru, South America

Did you know?

  1. You might see the ocean whitefish swimming near the surface under the kelp forest canopy. In nature, this fish keeps to itself, diving into its rocky burrow when threatened.
  2. The ocean whitefish is mostly white, but look closely—you’ll see a yellow line or streak along each of its fins.

IUCN Red List Conservation Status